World Heritage Identification Number: 202
World Heritage since: 1982
Category: Cultural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Asia and the Pacific
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The Ancient City of Sigiriya: A Unique Testament to Sri Lankan History
The Ancient City of Sigiriya, also known as Sinhagiri, stands as a remarkable testament to the rich history and architectural prowess of ancient Sri Lanka. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1982, is located in the northern Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. The site is dominated by a colossal column of granite, towering approximately 180 meters (590 feet) high, which has earned it the nickname 'Lion's Rock'.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
The ruins of the capital built by the parricidal King Kassapa I (477–95) lie on the steep slopes and at the summit of a granite peak standing some 180m high (the 'Lion's Rock', which dominates the jungle from all sides). A series of galleries and staircases emerging from the mouth of a gigantic lion constructed of bricks and plaster provide access to the site.
Encyclopedia Record: Sigiriya
Sigiriya or Sinhagiri is an ancient rock fortress located in the northern Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. It is a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of granite approximately 180 m (590 ft) high.Additional Site Details
Area: Not available
(iii) — Unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition
(iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape
Coordinates: 7.95 , 80.75
Image
© Binuka poojan, CC BY-SA 4.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
